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March 1997 - Albania (Operation Silver Wake)


330-CFD-DM-SD-03-01193: Operation Silver Wake. American citizens are escorted to a CH-46E “Sea Knight” helicopter by a 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Marine during the operation. Twenty-Sixth Expeditionary Unit Marines were called upon to perform a Non-Combatant Evacuation of U.S. citizens that desire to leave Albania. Photographed by SGT Mark D. Olivia, USMC, March 14, 1997 U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Caption: 330-CFD-DM-SD-03-01193: Operation Silver Wake. American citizens are escorted to a CH-46E “Sea Knight” helicopter by a 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Marine during the operation. Twenty-Sixth Expeditionary Unit Marines were called upon to perform a Non-Combatant Evacuation of U.S. citizens that desire to leave Albania. Photographed by SGT Mark D. Olivia, USMC, March 14, 1997 U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

In March 1997, U.S. Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted the evacuation of American citizens, noncombatants, and other foreign nationals from Albania due to the country's civil unrest.  The operations were conducted from USS Nassau's (LHA-4) amphibious readiness group.   Despite initial fire upon landing, approximately 900 people were evacuated over 13 days.  Additionally, 105 Albanians were rescued March 16-17 from unsafe and overcrowded vessels.  Other U.S. Navy ships involved were USS Nashville (LPD-13) and USS Ramage (DDG-61). 


330-CFD-DM-SD-03-01188: Operation Silver Wake. An American child awaits the evacuation flight from the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, Albania. Twenty-Sixth Expeditionary Unit Marines were called upon to perform a Non-Combatant Evacuation of U.S. citizens that desire to leave Albania. Photographed by SGT Mark D. Olivia, USMC, March 14, 1997 U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Caption: 330-CFD-DM-SD-03-01188: Operation Silver Wake. An American child awaits the evacuation flight from the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, Albania. Twenty-Sixth Expeditionary Unit Marines were called upon to perform a Non-Combatant Evacuation of U.S. citizens that desire to leave Albania. Photographed by SGT Mark D. Olivia, USMC, March 14, 1997 U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

330-CFD-DM-SD-030-01192: Operation Silver Wake. American citizens buckle into a CH_46E “Sea Knight” helicopter from 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit for transportation out of Tirana, Albania. Twenty-Sixth Expeditionary Unit Marines were called upon to perform a Non-Combatant Evacuation of U.S. citizens that desire to leave Albania. Photographed by SGT Mark D. Olivia, USMC, March 14, 1997 U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Caption: 330-CFD-DM-SD-030-01192: Operation Silver Wake. American citizens buckle into a CH_46E “Sea Knight” helicopter from 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit for transportation out of Tirana, Albania. Twenty-Sixth Expeditionary Unit Marines were called upon to perform a Non-Combatant Evacuation of U.S. citizens that desire to leave Albania. Photographed by SGT Mark D. Olivia, USMC, March 14, 1997 U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

330-CFD-DM-SD-03-01202: Operation Silver Wake. Sergeant Kevin Clifton, Evacuation Control Center team member and Platoon Sergeant for 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Landing Shore Party Platoon, stands by with his M1642 assault rifle to provide security for an incoming helicopter near the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, Albania. Photographed by GYSGT Tim Shearer, USMC, March 18, 1997 U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Caption: 330-CFD-DM-SD-03-01202: Operation Silver Wake. Sergeant Kevin Clifton, Evacuation Control Center team member and Platoon Sergeant for 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Landing Shore Party Platoon, stands by with his M1642 assault rifle to provide security for an incoming helicopter near the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, Albania. Photographed by GYSGT Tim Shearer, USMC, March 18, 1997 U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
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Published: Tue May 05 13:56:10 EDT 2020